Song of Honor

[Atlantis]

I write this sitting in the presence of my old friend. He has been gone for far too long and never do I think another can take the place of the void that was left in his passing. I thought for the longest time that there would never be another like him and that because of that the Warsong might never be the same, but I am getting ahead of myself there were many battles before his passing.

I am not a young orc by any means of time, and I have seen my battles and I have my scars to tell the tale. Grommash Hellscream has many tales of his own there is not an orc alive that does not know his name. I myself spent much of my life fighting alongside Grom and my brothers of the Warsong Clan. We have conquered many beings, the first important battle. If you can even consider the slaughter of so many draenei a battle was the battle at what is now called the Black Temple by so many.

We reveled in the bloodshed as it flowed free along the steps of Karabor. The Warsong slaughtered man, woman, and child. We killed them all without a moment of hesitation. So was the conviction of the demon's blood that all we cared for was destruction. I watched as Hellscream himself cleaved many a draenei in two with a single swing of his mighty axe 'Gorehowl'. I was younger then more foolish an orc than I am now. There was no honor in the killing that was orchestrated not for honor but for selfish reasons of those in a higher position. I will not lie though, I enjoyed every moment of it. I enjoyed cutting my blade into every single being that stood before me, but it is not a memory I cherish. It is one I hold onto out of necessity, because though we were strong it was not the honor we needed.

I still remember the anger Grom had when the Dark Portal was first opened, and the Warsong was not allowed to go in with the charge. We were forced to remain on Draenor, some of us still believe that is why we lost the second war. However, the fight was brought to us finally. The foolish humans charged into our land blindly. That's when we got our chance, along with the Bleeding Hollow we went to Azeroth, we were tasked with gathering several artifacts. I don't even remember what they were really for, I don't think I ever did. I was there for the same reason I think Hellscream was, for the honor of finding a worthy fight. We found glorious battles, again the blood came down like rain, it was beautiful and we sang the glory of the Warsong every night.

Then the war ended... The many of us just gave up and stopped caring, it was a sad end. All of our glory all the might was ended because everyone would rather not care. A sad end to the glory of what was once called The Horde.

[Vilmah]

((Oooo...))

[Atlantis]

Some of us tried to rouse our brethren, but it was no use it's hard to tell a cow to stop eating grass all day and that there is something better to do. My friends had become those cows and I thought there would never be a way to bring them back.

I remember watching Hellscream during these times. He always held his head up high, never really letting the blood curse get him down, but there were always moments only brief and never more than a second or two where it looked like he was about to become one of them. It was that determination that kept us all going during those dark times. Though nobody ever brought it up with Grom, we all knew how much it hurt him, just like it hurt the rest of us.

For fifteen years we waited, scraping by an existence as best we could. Some couldn't handle it and died along the path, I think we all knew the end was coming there were only so many more we could lose before we would be no more.

That day was fate, though I suspect none of us knew it at the time. Who would have thought an orc that couldn't speak his own tongue walking around with the name Thrall would eventually become a new shaman or ascend to the status of Warchief of the Horde. I remember first seeing him, not really understanding what he was trying to say as he spoke in the tongue of man and made strange gestures trying to get us to understand what he meant. We wanted to kill him when we found him, but when he said "Hellscream" I don't know what happened, but we all agreed to at least let Grom see him.

He was presented with the tests. Thrall had to fight our best three warriors, I was not one of them, but somehow even against those odds he managed to defeat them all and did not kill them. It was a strange concept, not to kill the defeated. He refused the other test, when presented with a human pup and ordered to kill him Thrall refused, stating that there was no honor in killing a youngling. Grom agreed with Thrall, reaffirming our need of honor in the battlefields not just wanton destruction. It was refreshing though I didn't realize it at the time until the next time we took the battlefield.

[Atlantis]

Thrall left us that winter only to return back the next spring. Though he did not come alone he brought with him the Frostwolves, and the mighty Warchief, Orgrim Doomhammer. The mighty Doomhammer was as impressive as I had remembered, though he had aged as we all had he still had that presence. The kind I always felt around Hellscream the kind of presence you only feel around great beings the feeling that you know they will change the world. Though it was not just him, it was all of us that were to change our fate in those days.

Everyone of us stormed those camps, shattering the walls and freeing our people. Though there wasn't the free flow of blood that there once was only what was necessary. It was a stark change to what we once knew, where once we would destroy our enemy kill all of their ranks when they were before us. We let those that surrendered go to run away and live on. It was foreign to me, but somewhere in my soul I knew it was the right thing to do. Though I still felt the blood lust there was something calming in knowing you did the right thing.

I have seen three warchiefs in my lifetime, the first, Blackhand, was a foolish puppet. Though we didn't know this at the time. The second, Orgrim Doomhammer, a good man one that never did drink the blood and always gave his all even up to the day he died. I saw the cowardly strike with my own eyes. There is just something inside me that stirred to see that weapon pierce into the back of the Doomhammer. Something in my new found honor that struck against every fiber of my soul. He was fighting eight men all on horseback when the blow landed, it was the single most impressive thing I had seen one orc do at that point in my life. Hellscream and several of us saw that fatal blow land and we immediately charged in clearing the area of the cowards, and we pulled the warchief away.

It wasn't until later that Thrall had finished the retreat orders that he came to Orgrim's side where much of the lance still rested impaled in his chest. I watched as Thrall pulled the lance from the Doomhammer's chest, I saw the life extinguish from our great leader, and as I watched Thrall place Orgrim Doomhammer's armor on his shoulders and heft up the mighty Doomhammer itself I watched as the new warchief took his place amongst the new Horde.

[Atlantis]

And so it was that my brothers and sisters were once again free orcs. We had paid a heavy price, most gave blood in the battles, and many gave their very lives so that others might know the taste of freedom once more. Though as we learned in those days freedom is not free and if you wish to keep it you will always have to fight for it, because somewhere someone is always wanting to take that from you.

We once again had to fight for our existence at the behest of a prophet that spoke to Warchief Thrall, and quickly we found ourselves in a new land that was called Kalimdor here in this new land we were to remake ourselves and finally have a land to call our own. Though as our nature was to fight, so too the Warsong gave into that again. We attacked human settlements for no real reason when we were in Stonetalon, it just felt so much like those old days like the blood of the demons were right next to us. As it was to turn out that was an important warning that we chose to dismiss.

As punishment for our inability to follow the orders of the warchief we were sent into Ashenvale to build us a new settlement I believe that Thrall believed there would be no trouble in harvesting lumber for a new town so we could not attack humans and create more trouble for him. He was right there were no humans there, there was something much worse.

[Atlantis]

That was the first time we encountered the night elves, at first we thought the forest was haunted as we heard them whisper from all around us. It wasn't until we met one of their demigods Cenarius in battle that we knew that this was not going to be any ordinary fight. Nothing we did could really harm the powerful spirit no matter how many axes we chopped at it with could bring it down.

That's when we were told of a great power coming from a fountain. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if we just left that forsaken forest, but we didn't. We found a fountain hidden in the forest a crimson fountain that held the answer to our problems with Cenarius, but would force us to go against our honor and the will of Warchief Thrall.

In a decision I think about everyday and hope with all of my soul that the younglings of the Warsong never find out about, we once again drank the blood of Mannoroth. Though I would never admit this out loud to anyone ever, it felt good to taste the blood again. It was a feeling like returning home from a journey of many years, it made everything seem right again. The thoughts of the slaughter of many came into my mind as I am sure it did with my brothers and I enjoyed it, I reveled in it.

With the power of the demon in our veins once more defeating a god went from impossible to simple with Hellscream himself delivering the final blow on creature. It was a proud moment as we had done the impossible, we had slain a god.

In the next moment however, reality set in as Mannoroth bound us all to his will once again, and as much as it pains me to say it. We all swore to the pit lord and denounced our Warchief. We had climbed so high, gained honor and respect from everyone only to fall so hard in losing that honor and serving the Burning Legion.

[Atlantis]

Thrall came for us, he and the rest of the Horde. They came not to slay the wayward children of the Horde, but instead to save us from what we had become. Today I am able to say I am grateful for their efforts, but at the time all I cared about was killing every single one of them. All I wanted was for them to bleed for being fools, for not taking the wonderful gift that delivered us from the pain of dealing with the longing of what we missed every day since the second war was over.

Even now I am not sure how Thrall made it through that canyon with demons and his own kind fighting against him the whole way. Yet, he did. He made it all the way to Grom Hellscream and managed to cleanse his soul of the demon taint at least enough for him to regain his senses.

Little did I know that would be the last time I would see Hellscream alive.

I learned later what transpired after Grom was freed. He and Thrall went deep into the canyon and found Mannoroth. Grom Hellscream showing the strength I had see in him so many times before, so many times I had fought alongside with gave his life to do what was right. After all those years of fighting against the demon blood that flowed so freely in his body he showed everyone who he really was and killed Mannoroth outright only to lose his life in the process (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luuUE0x7-TY).

I had once again gained my freedom only to lose my friend and chieftain in the process. The orcs were free of the demon's curse, we were all free to live our lives as we so chose, but the Warsong was left without a leader.

[Atlantis]

The Horde fought onwards, there were many battles still to be fought and won. There was a great victory at Mount Hyjal where we stood against the demons on their charge towards the World Tree and dominion over this world. Even though we fought and saved Azeroth from destruction I felt hollow inside still. I felt loss no longer have Hellscream with us. I started to lose the look of a warrior from that day forward.

Before then I had always kept my appearance clean cut before every battle and every morning. I no longer felt the same pride I once did, it was almost like being under the lethargy I had seen from my brothers and sister in the internment camps all those years before. I knew there was still much to do in this life I just couldn't muster up the courage to fight onward as I once had.

I had helped in the building of Durotar as we all had in those days, moving wood and stone around to create a mighty city to call our own. I saw as Rexxar came to the town and he and Rokhan the troll ventured out to do many quests at the request of Thrall to help build the city.

Yet still I could not rouse myself from the powerful sickness that was sapping my will the longer Hellscream had been gone. Until the day Rexxar gave Thrall the news that the humans were attacking once again. I the same as the other warriors of the Horde gathered arms to take up the cause once more. I stood out on the battlefield on the eve of destruction, no longer caring much of my own safety or if I lived. In truth I thought that if I died in that battle that I would get to see my chieftain once again.

That's when my life was changed once again, Thrall and an unveiling of sorts on the battlefield that day. Apparently Rexxar and Rokhan had been collecting trinkets necessary to create a new banner of the Horde. As Rexxar was named Champion of the Horde and raised the standard of the Horde high above him for all to see I felt the stir once again.

This was the Horde this was the Horde that embodied a new standard of honor and we were fighting here not for the trivial pursuit of old hatreds. This was the fight for our very right to exist in this world, not just the warriors but of every single orc, troll, and tauren that was part of this new Horde.

I don't know what Hellscream felt before battles, but I know what he did. Once you heard it you never forgot that sound, the loud piercing howl that he would let out in the heat of battle it would cause many lesser beings to turn tail and run at the mere sound of it. Though I did him no justice in my attempt I raised my axe and let out my bellow as loud as possible the others of the Warsong joined in as we made our own 'Hellscream' loud enough for our chieftain to hear.

[Atlantis]

Again the might of the Horde held true and we were able to decimate the forces of the Alliance that wished to end all of our lives. I can't really say that I blame them as at one time I too felt desires that were very similar. I once lived for the blood lust and relished in the death of everyone around me. Though it is hard to think that way anymore especially after Hellscream gave his life for the sake of each and every one of us.

Orgrimmar was built into a fine city and many of the Warsong found a new purpose most of them went back to the logging camps in Ashenvale where we last saw glory with Grom. I however, felt the need to press forward to make sure everything we fought for remained safe for as long as possible. Everyday since we have been under the dark shade of death, everyday there is a new threat. At first it was just the simple threat of death by the hands of Deathwing's children, I never did like that dragon much. Then the Lich King decided to send that floating junk heap into the sky over the Plaguelands. It was life as usual I suppose.

Yet everyday the Warsong remained held together just through strength of will, not by any leader. Though I thought that would change when I first saw Nagrand again after all those years, but I was very wrong.

[Svetlaena]

(( This... is awesome. Fitting style, very good composition, slight and forgivable propensity for run-on sentences. Other than that I'm enchanted. Keep going! ))

[Atlantis]

I remember when I first saw your son grown up. It made me so proud to know that he had survived the trouble of Outland and had grown into what looked like a fine orc. That was until I talked to him. He was a coward, a child that thought his father was a failure to his people. I still remember the anger I felt when he cursed your name. I remember the beating I took at the hands of the guards for bringing my fist against his face. I still remember the feeling of disgust I have felt for the past year as Garrosh was afraid of being the Hellscream he should have been.

Then again I remember those few weeks ago when Thrall came to visit Garadar, I remember him asking the elements to show the final day of your life and I watched along with everyone there as you showed that demon the end. I once said that watching Orgrim Doomhammer take on eight knights single handed was the most impressive thing I have seen of an orc, but I was wrong. Seeing you stand up alone against Mannoroth was the greatest feat of honor I have seen.

That was the moment your son rose up as you had many times before each battle we were to fight, finally aware of the orc you are and gave out a mighty yell that would have even challenged your own. You would have been very proud.

That was the moment that I knew, that the Warsong finally had a new leader. That after so many years in the dark. Holding together as best we could, we finally had an orc worthy of the title Chieftain of the Warsong. I remember talking to Garrosh of your tales of all the battles we had fought in. I also remember taking out my old axe bringing it up to the back of my hair that had grown long in the years since your passing. I reached up behind the knot and sliced through the long tail of hair tossing it to your son. I told him then that was the amount of time the Warsong had gone without a leader. I told him that I never expected that to happen again.

So here I stand beside the marker of your greatest battle my friend, I stand here to let you know with these words that the Warsong is strong once again. That it is your very son that leads us to glory. Though I am sure you already know these things. I mostly just wanted to be by your side one more time to share the tales of glory as we used to back in those days, sitting around the fire. Though I am proud of everything we have done and as far as we have come with the honor that you taught us. Not a day goes by that I don't wish you were still with us. Not a battle passes that I don't pause at the end expecting to hear your mighty scream affirming who we are. I think most of all I just miss my friend.

Lok'Tar Ogar Grommash Hellscream!

As long as blood still moves in this body and air still draws in my lungs I will make sure the Warsong is never silent. For when the day comes that I get to join you again we will have many grand tales to tell.

-Atlantis Doomblade-

[Solenev]

((Amazing. Holy Lore batman.))